Boyfriend gets 5 to 20 years for dragging girlfriend

A New Jersey man convicted of severely injuring his suburban Philadelphia girlfriend by driving off as she hung onto his pickup truck has been sentenced to five to 20 years in state prison.

Twenty-two-year-old Michael Morrone of Marlton, N.J., was convicted March 25 of aggravated and simple assault and related offenses. Berks County Judge Thomas Parisi also ordered him Monday to pay $2.2 million for medical expenses.

Authorities said he dragged Christine McGhee of Warminster, Pa., with his truck in a Kutztown University parking lot after the two argued at a party in December 2008. Family members said the victim, who used to play soccer and studied graphic design, was left in a vegetative state. She was present in the courtroom in a wheelchair with a caretaker.

Defense attorney Fortunato Perri Jr. said Morrone has been tormented by guilt.